Takahe #59, Fiction, Poetry and art, December 2006.
Once again, a generous and quality array of fiction and poetry. Fourteen stories which makes Takahe probably the best venue for short story writing in New Zealand. Ruth Pettis is at her usual assured best here. Gerard Parry's story is a bit stilted, but interesting - he can only get better after that. Some of the stories are a little to 'applied', as if someone had set a difficult subject and the writer struggles to make an impression. Family matters occupy the attention of Jane Seaford; somewhat convincingly, too, I might add. Brian Phillips works out some philosophy in 'Threads' and that is entertaining even if not ultimately enlightening. The vagaries of physical /mechanical things, and thought. The essay on the sculpture of Peter Nichols is enlightening and well written. Peter Nicholll's sculpture is displayed in colour. 'Things' snake across the floor, or sit up perkily in forecourts. Some , you have seen before 'in another life'. A survey show at Dunedin Public art gallery is scheduled for 2008; waiting for that. Gelato Girl by Jessica Le Bas is so wistful; almost unreal, but anyone would read it right through. The pick of the bunch is Chrissie Ward's 'Tears'. It is hard to read, sure, but well basked on reality, however strange that might seem. Good work. As is Roger Jones' 'Revenant'. Not to mention the others…. But the poems stack up also, showing a wide diversity and recognition of the various talents of many poets. We are a little short-changed on the reviews this time, but the survey of Emily Dobson's work is well received. Much talent here. Nice to see Helen Bascand's sophisticated poetry here, and also Jules Light Koch - very sensual and clever. The rest of it is very adept, seldom banal. A good issue, hope we see more of them.

The Esaw Mini Series. Earl of Seacliff Art Workshop. Paekakariki, Wellington.
No.9, Vivienne Plumb. Plumb is well know to other poets in New Zealand, with selections of her poetry and a new playscript now; The Cape - with several awards etc. She is accompanied by Adam Wiedemann, from Poland in this little volume. Both accomplished in their various ways; nice to se the contrasts. Richard Burns is perhaps not so well known in New Zealand, anyway. He lives in Cambridge, UK. Quite visionary even if a bit obscure. Good work.Next, #11, Nelson Wattie of editing fame here. Notable as a translator, these are historical poems; Early Egypt and the late Egyptians; his second book in 67 years, so he says. Sandra Bell, #12, has the next say. Into music in Dunedin in the 1980's, she has had some poetry published too and this little collection is a sample of them. Some are entertaining, some are trite, a good mixture. With these, comes the Earl's Christmas Surprise for 2006; poems by M. O'Leary, Brian E. Turner, Mark Pirie, and Neil Wright. Each typical of their usual work; entertaining as usual. These can be ordered for $5 each from Earl of Seacliff Art Workshop, P. O. Box 42, Paekakariki, Wellington, NZ.

Sounds of Sonnets; a collaboration of Mark Pirie and Mike O'Leary. Published by HeadworX, Wellington..
Sonnets have always been associated with Shakespeare, but there are modern and New Zealand written. Mike O'Leary has been around for a while and has given us some memorable work. I particularly like his 'Saturday Night' (for Patrick Somebody), here. And who cares about the rhyme, meaning counts for all, here. Although some of his work is a bit precious, most of it has some real moments. I liked 'Gulls at Paekakariki' a lot. O'Leary thinks around corners and I think it should be appreciated more. There is some pathos around poems like 'The Mind of My Lai Revisited' though the title doesn't tell you much. It is dedicated to David Mitchell. His poem to he late Nigel Cox is more of a private message than a public one. Mark Pirie, in his poems, often over-stresses the subject and meanings. I would like to se more simplicity and earnestness here. But Pirie's memory/recall seems impeccable and it is nice we can see the benefit of that. 'First Shoot' contains many aspirations; none ultimately in vain, we hope. I struggle to find anything memorable here but you have to check them out yourself. I recommend this book for a good read.

Poetry Reading at Kaka Point. Peter Olds, poems. Steele Roberts, Box 9321, Wellington. NZ. Peter Olds is well known to his fans, and many others, too, both here and overseas. Although Olds doesn't show many new ways of saying, he does show many new ways of seeing. Many of these poems are those taken from memory but written freshly, as if experienced today. 'The White Ants' (for Cilla [McQueen]) is a case in point. Seldom has a NZ poet lasted so enduringly and consistently, and with such strength. Olds' acute observation should be an inspiration to younger writers who are not smitten with their own self-importance and image. 'The Person' is amongst Olds' best - about his father; though many might know this. A wonderfully sensitive evocation of memory. His best statement I thought as in: 'A Visit to Port Chalmers'; reflecting what he thinks about NZ and his place in it: “you can lose your bearings and still like it here” I think this is Olds' best book so far - it has an enduring quality which I am sure you will all enjoy.

The Matuschka Case. Fraser Sutherland, poems. Tsar Publications, Toronto, Canada.
This is an impressive book of poems by a poet of some considerable experience. Sutherland has a track record of some previous eight publications of poetry and four books of non-fiction and translations, freelance editing and as a critic and lexicographer. These are his selected poems - mainly his shorter ones. It's unlikely that his book will be available in New Zealand but a google search may turn it up. It would certainly be worthwhile to give it a try. Books of this quality rarely reach us and we are grateful. It is the international flavour of the work that makes local New Zealand writing seem so parochial. I can't single out anything here because of the high, even quality of the work. On other poets: “Auden's face' ends: “This was Auden's face. He / chose, was given these serious ruins, / the mark of bitter weather” But Sutherland is not heavy or pretentious; nor is there loads of hellfire and brimstone here - look instead for carefully crafted intelligent poems. I like the careful cynicism for instance: of 'On Foreign Women' “Foreign women are good travellers / she'll put her head on your shoulders” This book is a good read if you can get it.

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